“GOD’S WORD VS MAN’S WORD”

1 The Most Excellent Way ~ Being God-Dependent god s word vs man s word ~ 1 OF 29 ~ god s word vs man s word Questions & Answers By Pastor Steven J. Cole Copyright 1993 flagstaff christian fellowship Used with permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .. 2 1.. Psychological truth? Biblical truth? Isn't all truth God's truth? .. 4 2.. We use modern medicine; why not use modern psychology? .. 5 3.. What about my inner conflicts? .. 9 4.. I have trouble relating to God as a loving Father because my biological father was abusive. Can't psychology help me work through the repressed pain from my childhood? .. 12 5.. Don't I need healthy self-esteem to be able to serve the Lord? Don't I need to love myself properly so that I can love God and others properly? .. 13 6.. What about my children s self-esteem? .. 16 7.

2 If God loves me, why do I have so much pain and suffering? .. 17 8.. What can I do when Bible study, prayer, and obedience don't work? .. 19 9.. What about complicated psychological problems? .. 22 10.. What about the popular 12-step programs? .. 24 11.. What about feelings? .. 25 12.. What about counseling? .. 28 All Scriptures are from the New King James Version of the Bible. The Most Excellent Way ~ Being God-Dependent GOD S WAY VS MAN S WORD ~ 2 OF 29 ~ god s word vs man s word INTRODUCTION QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: During the past 15 to 20 [+] years a dramatic shift has taken place in American Christianity: Psychology has flooded into the church. christian psychologists are now the ones many Christians primarily look to for guidance in the christian life. christian psychologists write many of the best-selling books and dominate much of christian radio.

3 Many pastors use psychological terms and concepts in their sermons. When anything new floods into the church, it needs to be evaluated in the light of Scripture, our only infallible guide for faith and practice. Many Christians are confused about " christian " psychology: Should it be gladly embraced, used cautiously, or rejected outright? What follows are some common questions I've encountered and answers based upon God's Word as I ve wrestled with this issue. Pastor Steven J. Cole flagstaff christian fellowship 1993 Reprinted with permission. The Most Excellent Way is a discipleship ministry! We are a Bible-based ministry more than faith-based (which can apply to faith in any philosophy or religion, cult or occult practice, or no god). If God didn t say it, we don t believe it! If the Bible does not validate our words , we are false prophets. In ministry, we rely on the sufficiency of the written Word and the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.

4 ROMANS 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith. ROMANS 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The Bible is called the Word of God because the writers of its several books were God's instruments in communicating His will to men. It is His "word," because He speaks to us in its sacred pages. Whatever the inspired writers declare to be true and binding upon us, God The Most Excellent Way ~ Being God-Dependent god s word vs man s word ~ 3 OF 29 ~ declares to be true and binding. This Word is infallible, because it was written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therefore is free from all error of fact or doctrine or precept.

5 All saving knowledge is obtained from the Word of God it is an indispensable means of salvation, and is effective by the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit: JOHN 17:17 [Jesus prayed to the Father:] Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equip-ped for every good work. 1 PETER 1:23 .. having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, .. Since 1986, we have strived to remain faithful to the Word of God. But it hasn t been easy. 2 TIMOTHY 3:1-9 Perilous Times and Perilous Men But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having a form of godliness but denying its power.

6 And from such people turn away! These times are perilous for individuals seeking solutions for their problems because truth has become relative there are no absolutes about what is right or wrong, good or bad. Ministering with Biblical truth is being replaced more and more with psychological counseling. The subtle integration of the man s and the world s (the prince of this world) philosophies has created much confusion for many of us who seek to be faithful to the Word of God. Pastor Cole s Questions & Answers have application for The Most Excellent Way. We pray all who seek to minister and teach in Jesus Name, will be diligent in knowing the authentic Word of God so they will be able to easily identify the enemy s counterfeits. May we each seek to bring honor and glory to God by surrendering to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. PSALMS 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

7 The Most Excellent Way ~ Being God-Dependent GOD S WAY VS MAN S WORD ~ 4 OF 29 ~ 1. Why can't we use the best insights of psychology along with the Bible? Isn t all truth God's truth? A. This goes right to the heart of the matter which is: "Is the Bible sufficient for dealing with our deepest psychological and emotional needs or not?" B. We need to look at the Bible s claims. Second Peter 1:3 states that through His power, God "has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge" of Christ. He goes on to specify that this gift consists of God's "precious and magnificent promises," which, of course, are contained in His Word. Further-more, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

8 C. These claims are comprehensive that God s Word is sufficient for life and godliness, for equipping us for every good work. Surely, "everything pertaining to life and godliness" includes our emotional or psychological well-being. Since people with severe psychological problems are not "equipped for every good work," we must conclude that Scripture claims to be sufficient for bringing healing to the whole person. D. The list of the fruit of the Spirit ("love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control," Galatians 5:22-23) describes an emotionally balanced, psychologically stable person. If God's Word and Spirit can produce this, why do we need to turn to worldly psychology? E. "But," some counter, "the Bible isn't comprehensive. It doesn't tell us in detail how to deal with many of the complex problems people struggle with.

9 As long as psychology is in line with Scripture, why not use it?" Perhaps this can be answered by answering [the next] question: 2. We use modern medicine why not use modern psychology? The Most Excellent Way ~ Being God-Dependent god s word vs man s word ~ 5 OF 29 ~ 2. We use modern medicine why not use modern psychology? A. The answer is that the Bible doesn't claim to be sufficient for dealing with medical problems it does claim to be sufficient for dealing with problems of the soul (psyche, in Greek). How can we determine which psychological "truths" are true? If we answer, "Whatever works," we're on thin ice, since many false religious and spiritual techniques produce results. Scripture is the only basis for determining absolute truth: JOHN 17:17 Jesus said: Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. TRUTH = Harmony with God s reality!

10 B. There are currently over 500 brand-name psychotherapies on the market, with the number expanding yearly. They come at problems from many varied angles, but one thing is common to them all: They start with a biblically defective view of the nature of man, namely, that man is basically good and able to solve his problems apart from God. If you start from the wrong base, you can't build a system that complements Scripture. If you mix dirt and water, you get mud. C. The Bible warns us against turning to the world's "wisdom," since it is opposed to God's wisdom: PSALM 1:1-2 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, or sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. ISAIAH 5:8-11 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD.